Analysis of Current Thyroid Function Testing Practices
Abstract
Rationale: Current guidelines recommend thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) alone as the best test to detect and monitor thyroid dysfunction, yet free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) are commonly ordered when not clinically indicated. Excessive testing can lead to added economic burden in an era of rising healthcare costs, while rarely contributing to the evaluation or management of thyroid disease. Objective: (1) to evaluate our institution's practice in ordering thyroid function tests (TFTs) and (2) to identify strategies to help reduce inappropriate FT4 and FT3 testing. Methods: A record of all TFTs obtained in the San Antonio Military Health System (SAMHS) during a three month period in 2016 was extracted from the electric medical record (EMR). TFTs of interest were: TSH, FT4, thyroid panel )TSH + FT4), FT3, total thyroxine (T$), and total triiodothyronine (T3). These were also categorized based on the presence or absence of hypothyroidism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 18, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1040228
Entities
People
- Alexis A. Beauvais
- Darrick J. Beckman
- Irene Folaron
- Jana L. Wardian
- Jeffrey A. Colburn
- Joseph K Kluesner
- Joshua M. Tate
- Maria I. Kravchenko
- Mark W. True
- Sky D. Graybill
Organizations
- 59th Medical Wing